With all due respect to my fellow scribes in attendance, Dilfer’s opinion may be the only one that particularly matters from this workout. Dilfer does as much homework as any analyst, and he’s usually a tough critic. We trust him if he said it was an impressive session.

Tony Pauline of SI.com wrote earlier this week that “at least” six teams rank Newton as their top overall prospect in the draft. It defies belief that six teams even have a “top-ranked” player at this stage, but the note shows that Newton has some serious support within the scouting community. Not to mention with Dilfer.

“His mechanics are so sound,” Dilfer said. “The ball just jumps off his hands. He made 30 big-time throws.”

Newton’s workout on Thursday ultimately doesn’t mean that much, but it’s a good sign he’s so confident in his development. It’s a better sign that he impressed Dilfer so much.

The next step: Make the actual scouts slobber at the Combine or a real Pro Day.

Anyone could be great out there pitching the ball around with their buddy and doing some training/workouts… Be “phenomenal” when the pressure is one and there are about 5 or 6 guys trying to eat you. Then, I’ll be impressed. Just the opinion of one football fan.

More from Dilfer, “Incredibly impressive, dynamic athlete, and beautiful thrower. Sky is the limit”

Gailey has prob been “slobbering” for months.

Don’t let the hate or whatever get in the way with this guy anymore PFT, looked like the MJ of College Football with all those comebacks (8?). Clearly won’t be able to run like he did (not only did no one catch him, they had no chance to tackle him when they did). But he has shown he has all the physical tools as well as that much need Clutch gene. Surely enthusiasm sizzled a little after the BCS game where he struggled with accuracy and his reads but if you tell me he’s not a worth a first with some development, then I’ll counter with: Ramsey, Boller, etc. etc. etc. etc

Just because you say “with all due respect”, doesn’t mean you get to say whatever you want to say!

-Talladega Nights

tgifinley88 says:Feb 10, 2011 2:45 PM

Vince Young + a brain = Cam Newton. The kid has all the physical tools but unlike VY (and Terrelle Pryor) he is a great decision maker on the field.

damnskins703 says:Feb 10, 2011 2:46 PM

Cam Newton will be a good third string qb at best..i believe Tebow will have a better NFL career

7370355q says:Feb 10, 2011 2:47 PM

Did Trent say if cam threw any dimes, or primetime dimes at that? Because if he didn’t I’m not sold

kingjoe1 says:Feb 10, 2011 2:49 PM

Huge miscalculation on his reps part. You dont want to he first RISER in the draft evaluation process. They get over-evaluated the rest of the time leading up to the draft.
To really rise on the draft board, you need to peaking about late March early April.

It’s guys like Trent Dilfer that make me so tired of football coverage. He’s arrogant, pretentious, and obsessed with his own opinion. Him and Tom Waddle are the types of analysts that if you have the audacity to have a slightly differing opinion than their NFL gospel, then you’re a bleeping moron who should be muzzled. Tom Jackson is the same way. It gets old, everyone being so right all the time.

refsburgh says:Feb 10, 2011 2:53 PM

Newton has a much better arm than Vince Young. Not to mention he’s way more mentally and physically tough.

richm2256 says:Feb 10, 2011 2:54 PM

By the way, a QB’s mechanics are only PART of the overall picture.

You can have a rocket arm that throws 60 yards on the money……. what good does that do you if you can’t learn to read a defense and run around like an idiot trying to spot an open receiver?

Hey, wait a minute ….. that seems to have worked a bit for Roethlisberger. Never mind.

silkyjohnson937 says:Feb 10, 2011 2:55 PM

And where did dilfer and the scouts have josh freeman ranked compared to stafford and sanchez?and how is that looking?if you ask me freeman is the best qb of the three. I dont buy into all the hype behind these workouts.

Well for one, Cam is Black. Two, he does play the QB position. Personally, i compare him to Jason Campbell. Both went to Auburn, both hadabove average college careers, and both will/are struggle to be anything more than mediocre.

Well for one, Cam is Black. Two, he does play the QB position. Personally, i compare him to Jason Campbell. Both went to Auburn, both hadabove average college careers, and both will/are struggle to be anything more than mediocre.

—————————————————–

So are you saying all Black QB’s play the game the same way??? and are their mental capacity the same? Please help me understand.

gbfanforever says:Feb 10, 2011 3:29 PM

Analysts need to temper their evaluations. So many guys who look great fail. Save the superlatives for when they have great games. For now, just tell us whether or not he’s got potential without blowing him.

miamiron says:Feb 10, 2011 3:30 PM

steelergold says: Feb 10, 2011 2:25 PM

This selection should require 2 picks. One for him and one for his father.
**************************************************

It never works out when you draft the whole family
thank you,
Ted Ginn

rpiotr01 says:Feb 10, 2011 3:33 PM

Sorry, but these workouts are generally worthless, and in this case it’s a blatant PR stunt.

If you watch his game tape and see a guy throwing the ball accurately under duress, making second and third reads etc., then that’s a guy you want. If it all looks too easy, I’d be wary.

Focus on the tape. That’s what good GMs do. Idiots like Al Davis are the ones who get sucked into personal workouts where a guy is throwing a ball uncontested at a paper plate.

tgifinley88 says:Feb 10, 2011 3:34 PM

can espn please get some analysts that actually know what it takes to succeed in the NFL as a quarterback(besides steve young who does a great job). I am so sick of Trent Dilfer and Tim Hasselbeck always chiming in, saying how certain aspects of great players remind them of themselves. With all the self comparisons by now, Trent and Tim both have the mind of Bill Walsh, the arm of Brett Favre, the legs of Steve Young, the accuracy of Aaron Rodgers, the freelancing ability of Ben Roethlisberger, and the heart of Brian Dawkins.

Hasselbeck: 5 games started, 1-4 as a starter, 63.6 qb rating.

Dilfer: Started 113 games, but only 58-55 as a starter with a 70.2 qb rating.

Dreadful. If this is the criteria, does this mean we get to see Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards, and the Charlie Batch joining ESPN in a few years??

To say Tebow will be better than Cam is laughable seeing as how there is nothing to compare it to.

Tebow will be lucky to win 5 games a season in my opinion.

I see more of a starting QB in Cam than in Tebow. It takes more than heart to be a starter in this league and thats all Tebow has is heart.

burntorangehorn says:Feb 10, 2011 3:49 PM

Hilarious watching you idiots say that Newton has this or that over Vince Young. Vince Young showed way more in college than Newton has. You dolts obviously never pay attention to college football if you think Newton’s shown better *anything* than Young did in college.

granadafan says:Feb 10, 2011 3:52 PM

Workout wonders go to the stupid GMs (or owners). An decent GM or scout worth his salt ignores the flashy numbers from a guy who “work outs” in comfortable shorts and a t-shirt sans pads in perfect conditions and throwing to his friends without defenders.

Hilarious watching you idiots say that Newton has this or that over Vince Young. Vince Young showed way more in college than Newton has. You dolts obviously never pay attention to college football if you think Newton’s shown better *anything* than Young did in college.

Your one of the few people who think VY is an Elite QB arn’t you?

Like i’ve said the only diffrece between Cam and VY is VY is a headcase .

I think If Cam can keep a level head in 2-3 years he could really be somthing special unlike VY.

I don’t know why the hate for Jason Campbell. I like the guy. I am Redskins fan and I feel like he got screwed while playing for us. A new coordinator and a new playbook every year. It is ridiculous if you want someone to flourish under those conditions. I feel like a team should give him one good year without benching or anything like that if he messes up and if he proves himself, then good and if he doesn’t, then bench and do whatever you want. Just give the guy a fair shake.

demolition510 says:Feb 10, 2011 4:14 PM

let’s just wait for his wonderlic score….and no this is not about race/ethnicity/whatever

Oh my god, this thread has brought Redskins Campbell apologists back to life. May God help us all.

supashug says:Feb 10, 2011 4:34 PM

comletely agree on the wonderlic score, he could not handle the academics at UF and got booted for cheating and of course stealing a laptop.

I am sure he will finish with a very high GPA from Auburn pre senior year. I hope he goes to Cincinnati so we can watch them continue to implode

pkrlvr says:Feb 10, 2011 4:37 PM

djteknision1200, he’s compared to other black qb’s because to a man, the black qb’s in this league have shown that while they have more than enough physical talent to play the position, they just don’t have the quick decision making ability needed to succeed at the position. I know it sounds racist, but facts are facts. There’s never been a truly successful black qb even though most of them have far more talent then their white counterparts.

gamustangdude says:Feb 10, 2011 4:39 PM

@domeunit

Why would he throw a laptop? Is that a new Combine requirement?

He got paid in college? Where’d you read that? Or are you just showing what that egg meant in “This is your brain on drugs” Commercial.

Heart? Are you serious? This kid showed nothing but heart in my opinion, with the way he brought his team back in big games this year. With that said, the draft is a crap shoot. You draft the guy that you think has the talent to help your team, and hope that you are right. If he’s a bust, he won’t be the first, nor will he be the last. All Dilfer was saying to me, is that the kid has tools. From what I saw I would agree. Yeah, he definitely needs some coaching, but he definitely has skills that you can work with.

@pkrlvr says
djteknision1200, he’s compared to other black qb’s because to a man, the black qb’s in this league have shown that while they have more than enough physical talent to play the position, they just don’t have the quick decision making ability needed to succeed at the position. I know it sounds racist, but facts are facts. There’s never been a truly successful black qb even though most of them have far more talent then their white counterparts.
—————————————————-

There are so many White QB that have been drafted and failed. The problem with your theory is that there are hundreds of White QB that are drafted and only a handful of Black QB’s that even get a look because of the Black QB’s are inferior to White QB’s theory. So the data does support that opinion. White QB’s are given more opportunities than Black QB’s Have you ever heard of Warren Moon, Donovan Mcnabb and Randall Cunningham? They were Black and don’t give me they never won a superbowl argument because neither did Marino, but he is still considered on of the greatest. At least Doug Williams won a superbowl with the Redskins!

Im not sure when I’ve ever seen so many sports fans have such a negative opinion of a young man who has just led his team a National Championship! If you are angry with him for the actions of his father, let me help you….. Look around the sports arena, Basketball, football, baseball, it doesn’t matter, many African American Athletes have maternal support only! This could be in part to the absence of fathers/father figures. Cams dad is atleast present with and for his son. Even if we disagree with his tactics, we should atleast applaud him for being VERY active in Cams life.

Give the guy a chance to either make it or not before writing him off!

chrisbermansdoublechin says:Feb 10, 2011 6:56 PM

IF Trent Dilfer is so SMART about QBs, how come he never showed it, when he played pro football? Nothing better than listening to the words of wisdom of Trent Dilfer & Mr. Elizabeth {TIM} Hasselbeck

I’m from B-more and Trent gave us a super bowl and was cut the following year. How many times has that happened. But yet he is so critical of today’s football players like he was one of the elite. And only the super bowl MVP is suppose to go to Disney World and that wasn’t you. If they wouldn’t accept Ray Lewis then as a team, nobody should’ve went. Good way to stand behind your team Trent.

lostsok says:Feb 11, 2011 1:13 AM

1. Cam “Show My Dad The Money” made 14 starts at a high level. Few QBs are successful with their first team with little experiance.

2. He is clearly a meshawn that will always put himself over his team. He’s left program after program worse than he’s left it. Auburn is the only except, and despite his limited experience and the fact that Auburn gave him a chance…I see little evidence he even CONSIDERED staying at school to reward them…not with all that money waiting for him.

3. He’s a scumbag. He bought stolen property, stole other kids homework, and so forth. This is the man you want leading your offense? Pass.

4. He comes from a spread offense that required little defense-reading ability. Yes, he has a great arm…but most of the time his receivers were wide, wide, WIDE open. Making throws that require any nuance is not a skill he has needed, and is not likely he possesses.

Cam Newton should be a 3rd to 5th round pick. I pity the team that wastes a 1st on him.

can espn please get some analysts that actually know what it takes to succeed in the NFL as a quarterback(besides steve young who does a great job). I am so sick of Trent Dilfer and Tim Hasselbeck always chiming in, saying how certain aspects of great players remind them of themselves. With all the self comparisons by now, Trent and Tim both have the mind of Bill Walsh, the arm of Brett Favre, the legs of Steve Young, the accuracy of Aaron Rodgers, the freelancing ability of Ben Roethlisberger, and the heart of Brian Dawkins.

Hasselbeck: 5 games started, 1-4 as a starter, 63.6 qb rating.

Dilfer: Started 113 games, but only 58-55 as a starter with a 70.2 qb rating.

Dreadful. If this is the criteria, does this mean we get to see Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards, and the Charlie Batch joining ESPN in a few years??

___________________________________

This comment was like music to my ears. I have no idea if Cam Newton will be a good NFL QB (no one does)…but I do know that Dilfer and Hasselbeck are both two gigantic tools. And they were both garbage quarterbacks.

fin72 says:Feb 11, 2011 7:56 AM

Have you ever heard of Warren Moon, Donovan Mcnabb and Randall Cunningham? They were Black and don’t give me they never won a superbowl argument because neither did Marino.

__________________________________

Actually, I saw McNabb last year and it looks like he’s still black. Moon and Cunningham I haven’t seen in a while so I’m as sure.

Josh Freeman is half black…does he count? Better than wonderboy Sanchez and Stafford that were drafted before him.

whatswiththehate says:Feb 11, 2011 6:37 PM

djteknision1200 says:
Feb 10, 2011 6:03 PM
@pkrlvr says
djteknision1200, he’s compared to other black qb’s because to a man, the black qb’s in this league have shown that while they have more than enough physical talent to play the position, they just don’t have the quick decision making ability needed to succeed at the position. I know it sounds racist, but facts are facts. There’s never been a truly successful black qb even though most of them have far more talent then their white counterparts.
——————————————
In Economics, the phrase that is use to make ur argument truthful is “all things considered equal.” Well the black/white QB ratio isn’t equal, so right there ur argument holds no grounds cause we all know when it comes to the QB position, all things are intentionally not equal.

Also, it may be great if they were given the same chance as their white counterpart and not forever be compared to their failures, that would also even the playing field a bit. Cam Newton has been asked to jumped through hoops to prove his dexterity and “intagibles” while the two white QBs are not fairing much better but get a much easier pass and are considered ready for the big leagues…REALLY??

And, I guess the only other QBs Cam can be compared to are the black ones who didn’t fair to well…That’ a nice preception.

lostsok says:Feb 11, 2011 11:10 PM

The comparison of Newton to other BLACK QBs is unnecessary and unfair to both. He can just as easily be compared to Ryan Leaf or Tim Crouch as Akili Smith or JaMarcus.

He is not a bad person and over-rated prospect because he’s black. Those are individual character traits. He should be judged as a person, not as part of any social group.